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It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.

Edmund Burke

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Edmund Burke
Age: 68 †
Born: 1729
Born: January 12
Died: 1797
Died: July 9
Philosopher
Politician
Statesman
Writer
Dublin city
Free
Fetters
Cannot
Ordained
Character
Virtuous
Mind
Passions
Things
Minds
Men
Constitution
Eternal
Intemperate
Passion
Forge

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The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity.
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No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy.
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Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way, ought to give us ground to presume ability.
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By this unprincipled facility of changing the state as often, and as much, and in as many ways as there are floating fancies or fashions, the whole chain and continuity of the commonwealth would be broken. No one generation could link with the other. Men would become little better than the flies of a summer.
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Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part.
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Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature.
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A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.
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I am convinced that we have a degree of delight, and that no small one, in the real misfortunes and pain of others
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But whoever is a genuine follower of Truth, keeps his eye steady upon his guide, indifferent whither he is led, provided that she is the leader.
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But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.
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The poorest being that crawls on earth, contending to save itself from injustice and oppression, is an object respectable in the eyes of God and man.
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If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.
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The religion most prevalent in our northern colonies is a refinement on the principles of resistance: it is the dissidence of dissent, and the protestantism of the Protestant religion.
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Some degree of novelty must be one of the materials in almost every instrument which works upon the mind and curiosity blends itself, more or less, with all our pleasures.
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The ocean is an object of no small terror.
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There are three estates in Parliament but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all. It is not a figure of speech or witty saying, it is a literal fact, very momentous to us in these times.
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To give freedom is still more easy. It is not necessary to guide it only requires to let go the rein. But to form a free government that is, to temper together these opposite elements of liberty and restraint in one work, requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind.
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Over-taxation cost England her colonies of North America.
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The only training for the heroic is the mundane.
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Turn over a new leaf.
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